cigar and a drink?

[mrtr33]

I too like the Islays more than most other single malts. Talisker is a nice one too.

I love Ardbeg, Caol Ila and I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Port Ellen which is FANTASTIC! My favorite (and most the most ridiculously expensive bottle in my collection) is Ardbeg "Lord of the Isles" which is almost impossible to get these days. I also have a 30yo Bowmore kicking around here. A less peaty Islay is Bunnahabhain and I have a bottle of that as well. It's much lighter than the regular big-name Islays like Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Earlier this evening, I had a few fingers of Ardbeg Uigeadial. At 108 proof, I can't drink it neat, I have to drop in an ice cube or two.

Bruichladdich is the only Islay I've never tried (well I also haven't had the new ones, Kilchoman and Port Charlotte since I don't think they've been around long enough to sell any product yet).

Thanks for the insight. I doubt I'll ever get the opportunity to drink some of those rarer bottles. Good to know, though. Given the opportunity to drink a 108 proof scotch, I don't know what I'd do in regards to dilution.

Who makes that Port Ellen you were mentioning? Is that from the Caol Ila line? Is there a year of Caol Ila you prefer? I've never had anything from that distillery. I have found that I don't always prefer the older whiskeys - I much prefer the Glenlivet 12 year over, say, the 21 year or something like that. Just my personal preference, but then again, I've only been drinking scotch for about 10 years now - pretty much a newb in that department.

My parents just got back from England/Scotland and toured the Glengoyne distillery there. They brought me back a bottle. It distinguishes itself from others by claiming it air-dries it's barley rather than drying the barley with peat smoke. But sometimes, when done right, I like that smokey taste. I resisted the urge to open up the bottle and try some - it was really late, and I was really tired. Highland malts are hit-or-miss with me: I enjoy Oban and Dalwhinnie - Dalmore and Glenmorangie, not so much.